Sistema gastrointestinal y digestivo

Abstracto

Assessing Physicians' Awareness of Eosinophilic Esophagitis on the Treatment and Diagnosis of Patients

Katherine E. Pham

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a somewhat rare allergy and autoimmune disease that has only surfaced in the past two decades. However, there is cause for concern as the numbers of those diagnosed are exponentially increasing and physicians and medical technology are seemingly unable to advance with it. All previous research done on EoE has been focused on the physiology of the condition. This paper aims to understand how well physicians are versed in the diagnosis and treatment guidelines and juxtapose that to the personal experiences from adult patients and parents of pediatric patients. Surveys were distributed via Survey Monkey, a website designed to aid in the distribution of web-based questionnaires. Patient’s surveys were placed in two closed online support groups for people diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Medical professional surveys were given to various medical institutions (Memorial Regional Hospital, Nova South Eastern Medical School, the University of Florida Medical Program, as well as Yale New Haven Hospital). Results from the surveys supported the hypothesis that the lack of knowledge of medical professionals relating to EoE is negatively affecting the initial diagnosis of the disease. Once a confirmed diagnosis is made, it is shown that medical professionals are adequately prescribing and carrying out treatment plans that are beneficial to the patient (as shown through cleared endoscopic biopsies, and/or lessened symptoms).